Midfielder Michael Timlin rejected offers in the summer to stay at Swindon
It's ironic that at the same time that Michael Timlin decided to stay a Robin for a further year fellow midfielder Craig Easton made the decision to leave the County Ground and eventually join his former manager Paul Sturrock at Roots Hall.
In fact Luggy signed both of them, so it's no surprise that with the Shrimpers skipper injured and out until mid-October at the earliest the Blues boss should get on the phone and have yet another Swindon player shoot down the M4 and find Southend on his sat nav.
Robins boss Danny Wilson certainly only had good words to say about the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 player when he put pen to paper a couple of months ago.
Wilson spoke to www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk on July 3rd: "I'm very pleased that Michael has decided to stay on with us, as we rate him highly here. We're always after strength in depth in the squad here, and Michael gave us that last season. He's been here a while now, and knows the club inside out so will be a very useful player to have for us. He's got a great engine and is an excellent passer of the ball as we all know, and will continue to be an asset for us."
Good stuff, and Michael himself was happy enough to stay.
Timlin told BBC Sport on July 14th: "I want people to know that I didn't end up staying because I had nothing else. I had other options to play first team football but I'm so happy here. Since I first came from Fulham there was high expectations of me... and I know I probably haven't met those expectations yet. But I'm determined to improve as a player under the gaffer here and hopefully put in good performances from now on."
Well Michael not good enough for Wilson it seems who has been placing Timlin on the bench recently as Swindon stuttered to a poor start only gaining their first league win at the weekend when they beat managerless Southampton 1-0.
To some of the Robins faithful though it was a questionable decision to loan him out, especially to a club in a lower division.
upthereds1 on www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk said: "This is a strange one in my eyes, he seemed to be doing well and growing in confidence. I know he's not everyones fave player but i never had a problem with him. Southend now consist of Rhys Evans, Craig Easton, Sofiene Zaaboub, Michael Timlin, Barry Corr, Paul and Blair Sturrock..... notice anything?"
While the wizard added: "Without doubt Mike Timlin is playing some of the best soccer since arriving at Swindon Town. His confidence, passing, awareness and contribution to the game in general has been very significant in the games he has played this season. This seems a totally bewildering move, or is it?
Has our wage bill grown too much? Are we going to see one or two loaned out, to reduce overheads on agreement that we can call them back if needed? Our cash flow might be a bit tight, considering our summer signing activety and wages since. Where is Rose ??? Budgie has gone, Paynter has gone for more money at St. Elsewhere, high earner Greer has gone, and quite a few have come in. Maybe money is tight, we will never know.
Personally I would keep Timlin, with his new found confidence, experience, passing ability and distribution, don't forget he is of good pedigree, we'd be fools to part with him now.
Paul Sturrock is no fool, and my guess is, he smells a bargain, and Timlin gets to play every week."
More on the loanee Robin right here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
southend_united_sign_swindon_town_midfielder_michael_
timlin_on_a_months_loan_in_time_for_morecambe_558613/index.shtml
And on Captain Craig's injury here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/
shrimpers_skipper_out_for_a_month_
luggy_returns_to_robins_to_replace_him_558612/index.shtml